VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five Flemish universities, it conducts research in plant biology, cancer, neuroscience, microbiology, inflammatory diseases, artifical intelligence and more. VIB connects science with entrepreneurship and stimulates the growth of the Flemish biotech ecosystem. The institute contributes to solutions for societal challenges such as new methods for diagnostics and treatments, as well as innovations for agriculture. Learn more at www.vib.be.

VIB is an independent research institute that translates insights in biology into impactful innovations for society. Collaborating with the five...

The science behind our bodies' defense lines

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt samen met de vijf Vlaamse universiteiten en diverse partners in de biotechsector en doet onderzoek in plantenbiologie, kanker, neurowetenschap, microbiologie, ontstekingsziekten, artificiële intelligentie en meer. VIB verbindt wetenschap met ondernemerschap en stimuleert zo de groei van de Vlaamse biotech. Het instituut draagt bij aan oplossingen voor maatschappelijke uitdagingen, zoals nieuwe methoden voor diagnose en behandeling en landbouwinnovaties. Meer info op www.vib.be. 

VIB is een onafhankelijk onderzoeksinstituut dat inzichten in de biologie vertaalt naar impactvolle innovaties voor de samenleving. Het werkt...

Joran Lauwers

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New research by the lab of Prof. Jo Van Ginderachter (VIB Center for Inflammation Research and VUB), in collaboration with Prof. Carl De Trez (VUB) and others, identifies a protein that could pave the way toward drugs against sleeping sickness.

Newly discovered protein blocks sleeping sickness 

Brussels, 28 February 2024 - Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people and is fatal if left untreated. Most treatments and preventative options, however, are not very effective. New research by the lab of Prof. Jo Van Ginderachter (VIB Center for Inflammation Research and VUB), in collaboration with Prof. Carl De Trez (VUB) and others, identifies a protein that could pave the way toward drugs against sleeping sickness. Their work appears in Nature Communications.

Researchers at the Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, and VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, show that antibody therapy can be effective against erosive hand osteoarthritis. Using the antibody denosumab leads to bone remodeling and the prevention of erosive joint damage. This is the first evidence that erosive progression can be halted in this disease. The results appear in Nature Medicine. 

Erosion blockade breakthrough: clinical trial signals hope for hand osteoarthritis

The erosive type of hand osteoarthritis is a common inflammatory type of degeneration that notably affects the joints of the fingers. As a result, this condition has a high disease burden, resulting in progressive damage and loss of function. While current therapies can alleviate symptoms, they do not address the structural damage in the affected hands.

The AGR2 protein plays a pivotal role in regulating intestinal mucus production through its interaction with IRE1β, revealing a crucial mechanism for maintaining a healthy gut environment

From goblet cells to gut health: the role of AGR2 and mucus

Goblet cells are specialized cells in the intestine that are crucial for maintaining a healthy gut environment. A new study by the team of Prof. Sophie Janssens and the lab of Prof. Savvas Savvides (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research), together with the team of Prof. Sven Eyckerman (VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology) reveals the important role of the protein AGR2 in regulating the intestinal mucus layer. Their work appears in The EMBO Journal.

New study reveals distinct triggers for gut and joint inflammation using germ-free mouse technology.  

Untangling gut and joint inflammation in arthritis 

Ghent, 11 September 2023 – Scientists at the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research shed new light on the relationship between gut and joint inflammation. Their study challenges previous assumptions that joint inflammation is driven by alterations in the gut, including changes in the intestinal microbiome. The new study proves that severe arthritis can develop in the complete absence of intestinal bacteria and intestinal inflammation. Disconnecting this gut-joint axis opens the door to tissue- and patient-specific therapeutic interventions. The work appears in EMBO Molecular Medicine.

A fully automated machine learning algorithm predicts bone marrow inflammation in MRI scans

AI assists in arthritis diagnosis based on MRI images 

Ghent, 28 August 2023 – A fully automated machine learning algorithm can now predict bone marrow inflammation, known as bone marrow edema, in MRI scans. This innovative algorithm, developed by the teams of Prof. Yvan Saeys and Prof. Dirk Elewaut at the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research and colleagues at University Hospital Ghent (UZGent), offers an objective and standardized way to evaluate inflammatory lesions, and it has the potential to impact the diagnosis and treatment of spondyloarthritis patients significantly. The work appears in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Inflammatory agent Interleukin-6 fires up complement system

Immune system causes lung damage in COVID patients

Ghent, 24/08/2023 – Researchers at the Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University and the Université Libre de Bruxelles have figured out how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, causes severe lung damage. The complement system, part of our innate defenses, is to blame. The breakthrough could potentially lead to new treatment options.

Study reveals that myeloid cells play a crucial role in the accumulation of liposomes in inflamed tissues

New study challenges prevailing theory of liposomal accumulation and improves drug delivery to inflamed tissues

Liposomes have been extensively studied as carriers for drugs that specifically target inflamed tissues. These microscopic lipid-based particles have the potential to improve the delivery of drugs by protecting them and enhancing their stability, bioavailability, and safety. It was previously believed that liposomes primarily accumulate in inflamed areas by passing through gaps in the blood vessel walls known as endothelial gaps. This phenomenon, known as the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect, has been widely accepted as the main mechanism for liposomal accumulation in inflamed tissues.

VIB researchers show how dendritic cells mature without causing an immune response

Researchers reveal a crucial process in the working of the immune system

Ghent, 15 May – For our immune system to initiate a response to an infection, cells called dendritic cells have to present antigens to T cells. This shows the T cells where to focus their efforts and helps clear the infection. In normal conditions, however, dendritic cells shouldn't activate the immune system or else autoimmune conditions arise. New work by the teams of profs. Yvan Saeys, Kodi Ravichandran, Bart Lambrecht, and Sophie Janssens (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) reveals how dendritic cells mature without causing an immune response. Their work appears in Science Immunology and has ramifications for the treatment of various autoimmune disorders.

Research reveals how leptin and its receptor work together to regulate hunger signals

Decoding the satiety signal

The protein hormone leptin signals our brains that we are full and can stop eating. To send that signal, leptin has to bind to a receptor on the cells that need to receive the message. Researchers at the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, collaborating with colleagues at Osnabruck University (Germany) and the Belgian biotechnology company PUXANO, have now revealed how leptin and its receptor work together. Their arresting research results appear in the leading scientific journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology and may spark new approaches in treating obesity, a major metabolic condition worldwide.

Too much salt can disrupt the energy metabolism in regulatory immune cells

Excess salt cuts energy supply of immune regulators

Eating too much salt is not only bad for our blood pressure and cardiovascular system. It could also impact the immune system. An international research team, coordinated by scientists at VIB and Hasselt University (Belgium), as well as the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin (Germany), now reports in Cell Metabolism that salt can disturb important immune regulators called regulatory T cells by upsetting their energy metabolism. The findings may provide new avenues to explore the development of autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.

The protein ATG9A blocks the cell-killing signal of tumor necrosis factor and prevents unwanted cell death

Scientists discover a new brake on cell death

Many inflammatory diseases develop when the body goes overboard and kills too many healthy cells. The group of Prof. Mathieu JM Bertrand (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research), in collaboration with the team of Prof. Geert van Loo (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) and colleagues from the University of Regensburg and Juntendo University, has identified a new mechanism, mediated by the autophagy protein ATG9A, that blocks this excessive cell death. Their work appears in Science.

Mutations in a key gene that was thought to be 'junk' DNA  are linked to the risk of encephalitis after HSV-1 infection.

Protecting ourselves from herpes: when trash becomes treasure

Infections with Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) are very common and usually cause only minor symptoms. In rare cases, the HSV-1 infection goes awry and turns into herpes simplex encephalitis, a devastating brain disease that is lethal if left untreated. In a large, collaborative effort, researchers from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent University, Ghent University Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic Florida Research and Innovation Center identify mutations in a key gene that predisposes to encephalitis after HSV-1 infection. Their work appeared in Science Immunology.

Immunity & Inflammation